"Once upon a time . . . "


Good morning all,

28 years ago today. It was still dark outside. I had placed my alarm clock across the room so that there would be no way I could sleep through it. Stumbling out into the living room. Calling friends who I knew were also sitting blurry-eyed sipping coffee (actually, I think it was diet coke - I was only in high school.) Excited. Waiting. Watching. Giddy.

But, nothing could have prepared me for this. I still well-up with emotion whenever I see images of Diana stepping out of the covered carriage. And hearing the roar from the crowd . . . a roar that seemed the grow louder still as 'the dress' began to erupt onto the steps of St. Paul's. It was all so beautiful. The pageantry. The flowers. and oh my, the music. It all seemed so full of hope.




And it was the first time I heard the music of William Mathias - in an anthem written especially for the service -



Were you awake and watching? What are your memories?

like the corners of my mind,
tartanscot

Comments

o.m.g. - I just cried again watching a video that I posted on my own blog . . . lol.

I'm going to the office now.
Linda Merrill said…
I know there's been a lot of commentary about that dress - but to my teenaged and romantic eyes that day, it was the epitome of princess!
Linda,

I am RIGHT with you on that one!

you might like this :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN8ODiAXY64
I was up and watching too. Such beauty. I visited London for the very first time, outside of dreams, jsut a few weeks after the wedding. The banners were still up and every shop window had congratulatory messages everywhere. It was just magic. Such a sad ending. I don't think I'll ever really get over that.
Blue Muse said…
Ooooh I was watching, and weeping - the music was so soul stirring and Diana was such a bright light - it was a once in a lifetime thing to witness. It was pure, and beautiful, hopeful and lovely. ...and that dress - I know the critics are out there, but I loved it and thought it was the best living faerie tale in the world.
Thank you for the trip down memory lane. Now pass the tissues, please.
xo Isa
Sandra said…
Watched it - every minute of it. Still remember Tom Brokaw making the comment about wishing that Charles would just give her a kiss - I guess in retrospect that was a major red flag! So sad when I think back to all that she endured . . .
I had a chance to SEE the dress a few years ago when I was in London for the holidays. There was a retrospective on Diana at Kennsington Palace and, of course, had a large area regarding the wedding.

In person, the dress is wonderful.
Pigtown*Design said…
I posted the same thing this morning, too! Great minds...

I remember getting together with the neighbours here on the East Coast, and drinking champagne and eating English muffins and finger sandwiches. Someone even made a "wedding" cake... really a white cake with white icing.
La Maison Fou said…
Oh, I so remember this one! Such a magical moment in time! I stayed up all night and watched the nuptials in entirety!
Thanks for remembering,
Leslie
Dear Tartan!

Your vivid memories are wonderful.

Enjoyed your personal report (the clock on the other side of the room) almost more than the dress and the dad and the prince and all the wedding hats. Thank you.
Fine your blog on my favorites list: www.thestylesaloniste.com
Thank you for your sweet comment Diane!

I think I might have been too young to realize how really amazing the day was . . . you never know about these things whilst they are going on . . .
I was awake and GLUED to the television. For a little girl, the makings of my own royal wedding were in the works. Oh, how I was in fantasy land! I adored every minute of it. I remember waiting for the entire family to appear on the balcony after their luncheon. When the couple waived and kissed it was magic!

(Remember a few years later, Sarah and Andrew? It was special, certainly, but just not the same. I loved the monogram sewn onto her train. Ah, pure bliss!)
Melissa said…
I remember watching with girlfriends and thinking Diana was a fairy tale princess come to life. A few years later I was studying in England and waiting in line for cheap opera tickets. There was a gang of press and cameras and onlookers grouped around the opera house entrance, and lo and behold Diana stepped onto the red carpet. She was wearing a light cream dress and every part of her - her face, her beautiful outfit - glowed. She was ethereal. She was magic. It breaks my heart to think of that light extinguished...
I spotted the thumbnail images on my sidebar, and thought - is that Diana?

Oh, Diana. I am the child of a Brit (my mother, who never became an American citizen), so of course we were up at the crack of dawn to watch the festivities. I was only 10, but the memories are still quite clear...in the days before VCRs and TiVos. Although, even if I had a TiVo, there was something magical and special about waking at the crack of dawn for the amazing day.

I will admit that the night Diana died, I woke up several times during the night crying my eyes out. What was it about her that touched so many people, that reached into so many hearts? I know it was a spinster who came up with the 'Queen of Hearts' phrase, but it was true.

Now I am feeling a bit melancholy, thinking about Diana and my mother who passed away 9 years ago. That's not a bad thing...
Linda Merrill said…
Thanks for that link - you know you got some serious dress when it comes in not one but two crates! And you're only a size 4!
Alicia said…
I woke up & with tea in hand (5 years abroad in the colonies) I was gobsmacked by the pageantry from start to finish. I loved her dress back, at 15 what girl wouldn't but now its all a meringue to me, a gorgeous one though, as I too saw it at Kensington & I agree, the photos never even touched giving it justice. All I thought was me telling Charles...for Gods sake forget everthing else just get this tonnage of me now!!! :)
My first godchild now 20 (!!!) actually met her when she stayed on Marthas Vineyard (they go each summer) when he was a tot & to this day, all pierced & tattooed he still will tell anyone the highlight of his life was her chit chat at the genereal store & the little peck on the cheek he rec'd all for telling her in his squeaky 5 yr old voice she was the prettiest Princess!!! We lost a true lady...
margot said…
YAY! Great post! I will NEVER forget. I woke up to watch too and marveled at it all -- the gown, the church, the red carpet, the guests, the hats, the organ, the choir, the name mix-up. I remember thinking her hair looked kind of flat and even a bit greasy -- still think that. Otherwise devastatingly gorgeous! Not long after I wore 2 replica dresses -- one for a prom in pink, er, dusty rose moiré taffeta, one bridesmaid dress in cherry red taffeta -- UGH! Also remember the day of the wedding that I was glad I could watch it all before I had to go to my golf lesson (I was in grade 7 -- can you say GEEK? -- still golfing today).
72 and sunny said…
oh wow. I was taking my lifegaurding test at the country club. I will never forget it!
YONKS said…
Just browsing through some of your old posts. Don't even know if you will see my comments, they will be dotted around as I get to know your blog.

I remember this day like it was yesterday. I was married the same year, still married but not to the same man! It was a wonderful occasion, I don't remember details, I just remember sitting and watching in a bit of a daze as my father had died that morning. We always said he wanted a birds-eye view :-)
Di
YONKS
x

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